Description
"I wanted to share my indigenous heritage that descends from Puerto Rico. Growing up being Taína, Africana, and Spanish, it is very vital to our culture. Sometimes living here in the United States, I feel that I am at crossroads with who I am. But then I remember about my history. The resilience of my people. I am one of the children of the Americas and Mestizos of the Caribbean. And for others like me, we are from the land where the sugar canes are grown. We are the Coquí telling their stories. And we are Borikén. So I stand in front of you, presenting el Sol Taíno, to represent the Sun God. In purpose of strength, health, and longevity to its people, as it does for agriculture. And as I have chosen to apply red markings on my eyes, it follows the cardinal direction, from where the sun has always chosen to rise. And as for the black markings, it stands for the Taína status in today's society. As well as, recognizing the original ancestors who arrived on the Earth’s surface."